The first week concluded with Tim Merlier as one of the only two multiple stage winners so far.
The first day that the bunch got to spend this year in the Massif Central was shortened due to the extreme heat by the organizer, who also decided to extend the time limit. The four climbs on the 154.6km course - Côte de Naves, Suc au May, Côte de la Croix du Pey and Mont Bessou - were too hard for the sprinters but too easy for the general classification men, meaning the opportunity was perfect for a breakaway to take the spoils.
Valentin Paret-Peintre was among those who tried to book a place there, not once but twice, only for the peloton to react each time and bring back those moves. Eventually, more than 70 kilometers into the stage, a large group managed to ride clear, and from there, a handful of riders attacked in the final part of the stage and ended up fighting for victory, which was taken by Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck).
Ilan Van Wilder concluded in Ussel - a stage finish for the first time in the history of the Tour de France - together with the yellow jersey group and retained his place in the overall standings going into the first rest day.
The whole stage was a hard one, it was like everybody was thinking about resting tomorrow and deciding to give it their all today.
- Ilan Van Wilder -
“We went full gas the entire time, and especially until a breakaway formed, as so many people wanted to be there. At the same time, some of the guys in the peloton who had some speed were still thinking about the stage, so they kept pushing the entire time until the finish. After a day like today, we’re really looking forward to the rest day”, Ilan said after the stage.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
